Post by mozalbete on Jan 22, 2016 7:33:23 GMT -6

This is an idea of monster I drew some time ago. I think it's original and has a really intimidating look. The monster, which is some kind of tree that grows around a victim (adding dat creepy background monsters should have), wields a lance-like smaller "tree" and a wooden wheel as a shield.

I don't think it it would be difficult to come up with a set of attacks: charges, lance attacks, defense with the shield, attacks with the legs. Also, from the top of the tree could appear birds (EVIL birds) that attack the player. I think that would be really fun. You could add many tree-related things. Maybe a hive could appear randomly and spawn more enemies.

There is also something I like a lot in these games that is well made enemy variations, where you find the same enemy but with a different look and improved attacks (for example, the floating swords in SotN). If I had to make a variation for this monster, I could think of two:

* A metal variation, where the skull is replaced by a helmet and piece of armor. The lance, from a certain point, isn't wood, but blades and other weapons incrusted in the wood. The shield would be something metallic... maybe a big metal shield, or a metal door. In order to add more visual differente, this version could have no leaves.

* A porcelain/marble variation, creepy style. With a perfect, smooth porcelain mask over the skull, a solid, white marbel obelisk as lance, and a decorated marble surface as shield.

Post by Galamoth on Jan 22, 2016 13:17:16 GMT -6

This is an idea of monster I drew some time ago. I think it's original and has a really intimidating look. The monster, which is some kind of tree that grows around a victim (adding dat creepy background monsters should have), wields a lance-like smaller "tree" and a wooden wheel as a shield.

I don't think it it would be difficult to come up with a set of attacks: charges, lance attacks, defense with the shield, attacks with the legs. Also, from the top of the tree could appear birds (EVIL birds) that attack the player. I think that would be really fun. You could add many tree-related things. Maybe a hive could appear randomly and spawn more enemies.

There is also something I like a lot in these games that is well made enemy variations, where you find the same enemy but with a different look and improved attacks (for example, the floating swords in SotN). If I had to make a variation for this monster, I could think of two:

* A metal variation, where the skull is replaced by a helmet and piece of armor. The lance, from a certain point, isn't wood, but blades and other weapons incrusted in the wood. The shield would be something metallic... maybe a big metal shield, or a metal door. In order to add more visual differente, this version could have no leaves.

* A porcelain/marble variation, creepy style. With a perfect, smooth porcelain mask over the skull, a solid, white marbel obelisk as lance, and a decorated marble surface as shield.

^This is certainly a very interesting idea.

I think this could easily be Bloodstained's version of a "Treant" or "Dryad", perhaps.

Though, it's just as likely that this could be something else. I'd love to see an original enemy with this design!

(EDIT): Better yet, this could be a Jubokko! ("Vampiric Tree" of Japanese mythology)

A yokai (demon) tree that sucks up human blood to nourish itself. It captures unsuspecting people with its branches to drain them of said vital liquid. (In other words, this is the hematovore counterpart to "man-eating trees".)

Post by mozalbete on Feb 1, 2016 2:59:40 GMT -6

(EDIT): Better yet, this could be a Jubokko! ("Vampiric Tree" of Japanese mythology)

A yokai (demon) tree that sucks up human blood to nourish itself. It captures unsuspecting people with its branches to drain them of said vital liquid. (In other words, this is the hematovore counterpart to "man-eating trees".)

Even though I can see the similarity (and differen to my proposal, I won't make it a Jubokko. The setting is supposed to be european and gothic, and I think there is already more than far more than enough japanese elements.

Post by Galamoth on Feb 1, 2016 5:26:33 GMT -6

(EDIT): Better yet, this could be a Jubokko! ("Vampiric Tree" of Japanese mythology)

A yokai (demon) tree that sucks up human blood to nourish itself. It captures unsuspecting people with its branches to drain them of said vital liquid. (In other words, this is the hematovore counterpart to "man-eating trees".)

Even though I can see the similarity (and differen to my proposal, I won't make it a Jubokko. The setting is supposed to be european and gothic, and I think there is already more than far more than enough japanese elements.

Perhaps, though like previous Igavania-games, there are bound to be many enemies based on mythical monsters from all around the globe. Even Bloodstained isn't exactly limited to European monsters (or the Lesser Key of Solomon, for that matter, though that is currently what IGA is aiming for when looking for design inspirations for some of the monsters/bosses).

There could be both, though. Man-eating trees and Jubokko alike, variants of tree-like enemies (likely in addition to Dryads).^I can say, however, that one of the few reasons I thought of the Jubokko is because it's supposed to be a demon. Demons are likely to comprise the vast majority of enemies faced by Miriam in Bloodstained, judging from what any of us know of the plot so far.

Post by stoltzy92 on Feb 1, 2016 16:27:37 GMT -6

Another good enemy type that I think could tie in to the demon theme would be some "fallen angels" as elite enemies in the game. Many many say that demons and monsters are some sort of deity or angel that's fallen from grace. (Lucifer being a prime example) while there are many demons I think would heavily benefit from an Eldritch or some sort of alien look to them to show how nasty and evil they are but I also think that with some other demons you can apply a sort of warped and twisted version of Divinity to make them all the more jarring

Post by XombieMike on Feb 22, 2016 7:22:48 GMT -6

Post by crocodile on Feb 23, 2016 0:51:10 GMT -6

dragonkd and anyone else who is new: be sure to check the other threads in the forum and the Design Review Requests to see if anyone else has already discussed the topic you wish to bring up. Regarding this topic specifically, its something that has already been brought up, discussed, added to the Design Reviews and is feedback on track to be submitted to the dev team. As such, this thread is redundant - we got you covered already.

Post by dragonkd on Feb 24, 2016 14:43:10 GMT -6

on my topic of stained glass dragons, I stated very clearly, why don't we have them?in the cv series as a whole, there were very few actual dragons/ generic demons.I want to see more reptilian enemies come into play, or a reminder of beasts.I would think that the key of Solomon will be our MAIN enemies, our primary antagonists.fallen angels are an interesting subject, but the question is whether they will be generic or individual.the angel counterpart to each demon in the key? well, that would involve them being pitted against mirrim, and servants of god aren't supposed to engage with mankind.there DOES need to be a sort of knight class of enemies, skeletons, zombies and our common armors.wouldn't feel right to leave them out.

but here is the big issue.enemies shouldn't be avoidable.if you jump over an enemy, it should try to slap you down.if you run from one, I want to see it truck after you across the map.think of this.warg from sotn chasing you down at a faster speed then the player can run.

Post by Astaroth on Feb 24, 2016 15:58:04 GMT -6

The problem with unavoidable enemies is it slows down gameplay greatly as well as limits your options fighting it, that being said having some enemies that attempt to fight 'intelligently' by having attacks that make it a more tactical choice to try going for a weak spot in their attack or movement as opposed to charging in and spamming attack could be a good way to increase depth without having to introduce new systems to the game, for instance in sotn green knight only throws axes, but blue knight has a shield, can throw axes upward, and can charge you

Having a few enemies in a game like enkidu in ooe or the tall enemies like treant and final armor that you can eventually fly over is one thing, it provides a different experience, having a few smaller enemies with an anti air attack like skeletons knights or fleamen, but all can be bypassed if youre paying attention

The warg idea would be great for either a maze area or as the leadup to a boss battle, but scripting an enemy to chase you all over the map would be problematic and if its faster than you it becomes especially grating after a while (like the gardener in cv64 >_<)

Post by Galamoth on Feb 24, 2016 21:51:56 GMT -6

Since Gebel's Castle seems to be situated in the middle of a body of water (most likely a lake) in concept art, how about we have this kind of legendary monster as an enemy in Bloodstained?

The Abaia, from Melanesian myth. It's a giant mystical eel-like monster that lives on the bottom of lakes (so I've heard). Perhaps it could be a Boss in the game, rather than a normal enemy...though I'm not entirely sure that there will be a section of Gebel's Castle that will be partly-submerged (or at least have water coming in from the lake surrounding it).

Oh boy, that first image I found certainly seems scary enough. I think I may have nightmares tonight.

All it needs are magi-crystals to indicate that it's either cursed or it's a demon.

Post by robot3rk on May 1, 2016 18:04:48 GMT -6

Hey that joke monster of yours sparks an idea. You know how the castle has a lot of bloodstained windows? Why not make a surprise type monster? Most of the windows look the same but one of them is a little off. That is a hint that a monster is hiding in there like it's embedded inside the glass window. The stained glass monster will attack you if you touch it without noticing but the damage will be small at first. Once you pass or hit it, it pops out to attack you. It looks like a glass stained man or whatever shape and it tries to attack you for finding out its spot.

Post by Galamoth on May 1, 2016 18:40:01 GMT -6

Hey that joke monster of yours sparks an idea. You know how the castle has a lot of bloodstained windows? Why not make a surprise type monster? Most of the windows look the same but one of them is a little off. That is a hint that a monster is hiding in there like it's embedded inside the glass window. The stained glass monster will attack you if you touch it without noticing but the damage will be small at first. Once you pass or hit it, it pops out to attack you. It looks like a glass stained man or whatever shape and it tries to attack you for finding out its spot.

Ah, you mean similarly to the Mirror enemies in Harmony of Dissonance and Aria of Sorrow?

Post by Galamoth on May 20, 2016 1:25:45 GMT -6

Anyone else think that inspiration for a Boss called "Decarabia" could be taken from the Brauner fight in Portrait of Ruin?

I'm sure that, if IGA & co. decide on a giant starfish boss based on one of the 72 from the Lesser Key, its 5 limbs should at least be able to Poison Miriam on-contact.

Unless the small undulating eyeball-star enemies in the first Development Update video for Bloodstained are officially going to be called "Decarabia"...perhaps "Star-Birds", "Star Flies", or "Starry Eyes"? (As far as I can tell, these are basically going to be the new "Medusa Heads" of Bloodstained.)

(EDIT): Huh... I didn't know that there's actually a 2014 American horror-film called "Starry Eyes". Maybe that could be the pun/reference used for the eyeball-star enemy's English name. :3

crocodile: Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Been busy with life (+ no updates) means I haven't been checking around here super often but do know I still love all you guys Aug 16, 2017 18:11:01 GMT -6